Hi just re the Calcium Score CT yes medicare wont cover the score on its own but its always done in conjunction with a CT coronary Angiogram. So if your referral is from a GP its not covered for either. If its from a cardiologist Medicare will give a rebate, again there is a complicated criteria but most will be covered. Again you need to phone around to ask if it can be bulk billed. I had one done as i really saw the benefits of the amount of patients that had even just the Calcium score on its own, it gives you a calculated percentage of risk factors for a heart attack in the next 5 years. I have seen patients unaware they had near complete blockages and these tests saved their lives. The calcium score is usually priced from $100 -200 depending on company. So I think its money well worth spent to potentially save your life. Your specialist sent you for a reason so please go and have it done 
Welcome to the forum @Sharwal and the insightful background and information is much appreciated. I have also sent you a related PM; as a new forum member an icon should show on the top right of your screen where you can click through to read it.
Thank you very much for your explanation. Just curious, are knees for over 50s (referred by a specialist) covered? That was a thing I had to pay for last year.
BTW, re-reading your post, still a bit confused 
So, why was I told (armed with a referral from a specialist) that I need to go to another facility?
Oh, I have a question about this 
I have (at my GPs suggestion) since phoned the specialist to ask her to mail me a new referral. She said she didnāt want me to have the CT coronary Angiogram as it was too invasive and she didnāt think I needed that.
So, do you think it would be worthwhile for me to go ahead and have the Calcium Score done on its own (which is what she gave the referral for) and pay for it?
Reinforcing the advice of a specialist is borderline re the following but
While many of us express opinions on a wide range of topics, please be aware the forum is not an appropriate place to seek or dispense medical, legal, or explicit financial advice. Under some circumstances doing the latter could result in actionable charges if the member does not have the requisite qualifications and licenses.
But - in June 2020. I had a knee replacement and HCF paid for two weeks in -patient rehab plus several times a week outpatient rehab there and also at another rehab hospital. That helped offset the outrageous $8,200 the surgeon charged - got about $1000 back from Medicare and a couple of hundred from HCF. So all in all the extra cover was absolutely worth it.
Yes I agree that the age of 74 appears to be a cut off for many things. However I have had Bowel Tests done after that age and will do so again next year (being every 2 years). All thatās needed is contacting one of the Bowel testing companies and say that you would like a test kit. Results will be sent to your doctor and to you as the patient. Free as well. (well the company I rang was). believe that even though I have passed he āmagical ageā for Mammograms I can request another one after two years as well.
